Available Now | MCFARLAND BOOKS

A Tipsy Fairy Tale

A Coming of Age Memoir of Alcohol and Redemption

In the wake of his mother’s passing, Peter Murphy’s childhood is plunged into chaos. Suffering from neglect, abuse, and a lack of stability, he endures a series of hardships. Peter is kidnapped at gunpoint, breaks half a dozen ribs in a freak accident, and finds himself indebted to the Mafia. As a young teen he turns to painkillers and alcohol to cope, and develops an unexpected affinity for poetry...that eventually transforms his life.

Peter's memoir follows his journey deciphering the grief, shame, and loss that permeate his childhood. As a young man, he leaves the violence of New York for the bloodstained streets of Northern Ireland during the height of The Troubles. As Peter unravels the mystery surrounding his mother’s death, he reaches his lowest point living in a Welsh commune, with little hope of escaping the throes of substance abuse. Written with poetic insight, Peter's story is one of redemption, recovery, and finding faith in hardship.

Learn More

ORDER NOW

Advanced Praise

  • “Peter Murphy’s memoir is pure pleasure.”

    Jay Parini, author of Borges and Me, an Encounter

  • “A harrowing, hopeful, and unexpectedly funny book.”

    Paul Lisicky, author of Later: My Life at the Edge of the World, a Memoir

  • “Peter Murphy floods us with tenderness in this powerful memoir, opening the heart of the reader while taking us inside poverty, cruelty, and addiction. Surprisingly, this same voice brings a wealth of funny stories, offering us a way to be more human, more included.”

    Jan Beatty, author of Dragstripping

  • “I read it straight through―how can he possibly survive?―astounded by his persistence and courage. You will be too.”

    Terese Svoboda, author of Roxy and Coco and The Long Swim

  • “Murphy . . . marvelously deploys the ‘you’ voice to convey disassociation and gallows humor of his coming of age and addiction-recovery journey . . . Evocative observations and relatable struggles characterize this poetic remembrance. Our Verdict: GET IT.”

    Kirkus Reviews

Author Peter E. Murphy, who is smiling and wearing glasses, a red button up shirt, and a black suit

About

Peter E. Murphy

Peter E. Murphy is the author of a dozen books and chapbooks of poetry and prose including A Tipsy Fairy Tale, A Coming of Age Memoir of Alcohol and Redemption about growing up in Wales and New York City. The founder of Murphy Writing of Stockton University based in Atlantic City, he leads writing workshops around the US and in Europe.

Books